Value stocks typically trade at discounts to the broader market, offering patient investors the opportunity to buy businesses when they’re out of favor. The key risk, however, is that these stocks are usually cheap for a reason – five cents for a piece of fruit may seem like a great deal until you find out it’s rotten.

This distinction between true value and value traps can challenge even the most skilled investors. Luckily for you, we started StockStory to help you uncover exceptional companies. Keeping that in mind, here are three value stocks climbing an uphill battle and some other investments you should look into instead.

Sotera Health Company (SHC)

Forward P/E Ratio: 14.4x

With a critical role in ensuring the safety of millions of patients worldwide, Sotera Health (NASDAQGS:SHC) provides sterilization services, lab testing, and advisory services to ensure medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food products are safe for use.

Why Are We Wary of SHC?

1. Sales trends were unexciting over the last two years as its 5.9% annual growth was below the typical healthcare company
2. Subscale operations are evident in its revenue base of $1.11 billion, meaning it has fewer distribution channels than its larger rivals
3. Poor free cash flow margin of 1.4% for the last five years limits its freedom to invest in growth initiatives, execute share buybacks, or pay dividends

Sotera Health Company’s stock price of $11.01 implies a valuation ratio of 14.4x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than SHC.

Pangaea (PANL)

Forward P/E Ratio: 9.1x

Established in 1996, Pangaea Logistics (NASDAQ: PANL) specializes in global logistics and transportation services, focusing on the shipment of dry bulk cargoes.

Why Do We Steer Clear of PANL?

1. Annual sales declines of 5.5% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market during this cycle
2. Sales were less profitable over the last two years as its earnings per share fell by 44.8% annually, worse than its revenue declines
3. Free cash flow margin dropped by 9.1 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up

Pangaea is trading at $4.98 per share, or 9.1x forward P/E. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including PANL in your portfolio.

Two Harbors Investment (TWO)

Forward P/B Ratio: 0.7x

Operating in the complex world of mortgage finance since 2009, Two Harbors Investment (NYSE: TWO) is a real estate investment trust that invests in mortgage servicing rights and agency residential mortgage-backed securities.

Why Should You Dump TWO?

1. Sales tumbled by 18% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle
2. Performance over the past five years shows each sale was less profitable as its earnings per share dropped by 27.4% annually, worse than its revenue
3. Tangible book value per share tumbled by 12% annually over the last five years, showing bank sector trends are working against its favor during this cycle

At $9.95 per share, Two Harbors Investment trades at 0.7x forward P/B. To fully understand why you should be careful with TWO, check out our full research report (it’s free).

Stocks We Like More

When Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plan in April 2024, markets tanked as investors feared a full-blown trade war. But those who panicked and sold missed the subsequent rebound that’s already erased most losses.

Don’t let fear keep you from great opportunities and take a look at Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.